International Projects – East Africa
East Africa, particularly Tanzania and Uganda, is an area of interest for aquifer and geothermal reservoir exploration and mineral exploration. We apply a multi-method approach, drawing on university collaborations and training for local technicians.
Why East Africa
In many areas of East Africa, rural communities rely on aquifers in fractured and weathered basement rocks. These are discontinuous and difficult to identify. Drilling without adequate investigation risks producing a dry borehole.
The region also includes geological settings of interest for mineral exploration. A phased approach—from satellite data to ground verification—helps focus resources on the most promising areas.
Tanzania and Uganda
Tanzania and Uganda are currently the focus of our interest in both aquifer exploration and mineral exploration. We work with our Italian university collaborations on an approach that brings together technology, research and training.
What we offer
- An integrated workflow, from satellite data to well
- Integrated geophysics: TDEM, ERT/IP, seismoelectric surveys, seismic surveys and gravimetry
- Geochemistry in collaboration with the University of Florence (UniFI)
- Remote sensing and GIS in collaboration with CGT – Centre for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena
- Training: joint courses, field schools and theses
- GIS databases delivered to local institutions
Aquifer exploration in basement rocks
Desk study
Geology, remote sensing, existing wells and lineaments.
TDEM and ERT
Thickness of the weathered layer and fractured zones.
Seismoelectric soundings
Verification of saturated layers at the most promising locations.
Drilling and logging
Drilling supervision and geophysical borehole logging.
Testing and commissioning
Well video inspection, support for pumping tests and piezometers.
Press coverage
Technical mission and meetings with the Geological Survey of Tanzania, the Ministry of Minerals and the University of Dar es Salaam (October 2025).
- University of Florence · Department of Earth SciencesMineral exploration project in Tanzania
- Daily News (Tanzania)Tanzanian government and Italian company join forces to boost mineral exploration
- The Respondents (Tanzania)Tanzania and Italian company collaborate on modern mineral exploration
- Ministry of Minerals of Tanzania · LinkedInTechnical meeting with the Geological Survey of Tanzania
From satellite data to the drilling location
Four investigation levels, each covering a smaller area in greater detail. Every phase ends with a decision point—to proceed, revise the approach or stop—and results are delivered in GIS format for verification by the client.
- 01
Satellite data and existing information
1,000–10,000 km²
Multispectral and hyperspectral imagery (Sentinel-2, ASTER, PRISMA, EnMAP), radar and digital elevation models, together with geological maps, airborne geophysics and borehole records. We identify lineaments, alteration and areas for further investigation.
- Sentinel-2
- ASTER
- PRISMA
- EnMAP
- Radar and DEM
- 02
Drone surveys
10–100 km²
Over selected areas, drone-based magnetometry and gamma-ray spectrometry (K, U, Th) are carried out using VTOL fixed-wing platforms and multirotors operated by specialist technology providers. The anomalies narrow the search to a few sectors.
- Magnetometry
- K-U-Th radiometry
- LiDAR
- 03
Ground geophysics and geochemistry
1–10 km²
Gravimetry, TDEM, ERT/IP tomography and seismoelectric soundings verify subsurface anomalies; geochemical analysis of soils, sediments, rocks and water, in collaboration with the University of Florence, helps establish their nature.
- Gravimetry
- TDEM
- ERT/IP
- Seismoelectric
- Geochemistry
- 04
Model and drilling
Drilling location
Data are integrated into a model with associated uncertainty, targets are ranked and boreholes or wells are sited. We supervise drilling and carry out geophysical borehole logging and video inspections.
- 3D model
- Target ranking
- Borehole logging
Have a project in East Africa?
Tell us about the area, your objectives and the data available: we will propose a phased programme using the most suitable methods.